Not sure that would necessarily be the case, being just a linked variable resistor on each channel, effectively a pair of volume controls with one connected backwards, though of course it depends on the quality of those and as I mentioned not all preamps include it, though Naim’s volume control losing balance accuracy at the bottom of its range could well be an over-riding technical reason for Naim keeping it. However perhaps that may be changing: the Statement, Uniti range and new NSC222 don’t have one, nor did the 272. I think what these all have in common (though not necessarily identical) is a different type of volume control using ladders of resistors and so don’t suffer the problems at the bottom of the range. I’m guessing that future preamp releases might follow suit, though this is entirely my speculation - however if that is the demise of the balance control in Naim products it would have a negative impact in the situations various contributors have described, so would not be a desirable change for all.
The 222 does have a balance control, it is operated through the App.
There are a few on here who do use a touch of balance for speaker position reasons, room interaction or some hearing loss for example.
I think there may be people who would benefit from a correctly balanced soundstage but refuse to move the knob from its centre position 
Not that I’m in the market but a pre without a balance control would be a “no thanks”.
I’m obsessed with the balance knob being absolutely central. Luckily that’s perfect in my environment and it isn’t required at all. I just know it would annoy me even if it were needed.
Thanks for the correction. I waponder if that is the case also with the Unitis?
Very rarely touch the balance control. Just about all sources are really OK and don’t need any adjustment.
If you get wax in one ear then you might need to twiddle the balance control till your ear is vacuumed out.
Here’s a bit more detail on the NSC balance control
Sounds like a perfect balancing solution - though having to use an app not twiddle a knob…
Well, it is on the Atom, so presumably also on the Star and Nova.
Roger
A friend of mine once built an amp that had a switch instead, “off” and “loud” 
I can’t recall ever moving the balance control from the central position, other than to check special effects on some LPs (Jimi Hendrix messing about in the studio on ‘Electric Ladyland’) or listening to a musical phrase being tossed back and forth between first and second violins in complex passages in orchestral works (last movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony in Kleiber’s unmatched Vienna recording). (When you think about those two pieces of music, you realise that Ludwig and Jimi were going for precisely the same effect, although neither knew the other’s music.)
Otherwise, if Naim had offered a lower sale price for the NAC52 with the balance knob removed, I’d have been tempted.
Why have one?
Well the logo wouldn’t work without one
I use mine to check if the speakers are working properly after the kids have played loud music.
Is that some clever witticism that has passed me by? Surely the logo will light up whether or not the control amp has a balance control?
The logo is volume and balance knobs!
Or perhaps volume and source selection knobs…
Now I’m completely lost. That doesn’t make any sense at all.
By “work” I mean that the logo refers to all the proper amps with two round control devices on the front which are usually volume and balance
A preamp without volume control works just fine if you collect performances of John Cage’s piano work 4’33" .
This could be problematic……
If you need louder sit nearer. To reduce the volume sit further away.
This allows you to set the pot position (9:27) for the best SQ.
The other rarely used function is the mono button imo. I have used it to set up speakers to get a strong central image but that’s about it. Does anyone find them useful in other ways?